Turbocharged V6s to Replace Normally Aspirated V8s in Indy Cars Starting in 2012

Turbocharged V6s to Replace Normally Aspirated V8s in Indy Cars Starting in 2012

Following Sunday's running of the Indianapolis 500, the Indy Racing League announced that beginning in 2012 all Indy cars engines will have a maximum of six cylinders and a displacement of 2.4-cubic liters.

"The ethanol-fueled engines will produce between 550 and 700 horsepower to suit the diverse set of tracks on which the IZOD IndyCar Series competes and will be turbocharged to allow for flexibility in power," the organization said in a statement Wednesday.

The new engines will replace the current, normally aspirated 3.5-liter V8 engines.

The IRL hopes the rule change will encourage more manufacturers to build Indy Car powerplants. For the last several years, all of the Indy Car engines have been supplied by Honda.

Scott Doggett:  is an AutoObserver.com Associate Editor.